Double clamp card attachment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a card display device that includes two clips rotatably attached. A rivet connects the two clips and allows the clips to rotate with respect to each other. The design of one of the two clips allows it to grasp a card while the other clip grasps a user&#39;s clothing. In some embodiments, a suspender style clip serves as the card attachment. In other embodiments, a clothespin type clip serves as the card attachment. In some embodiments the first clip and second clip have only three separate jaws. The card attachment clip may include plastic or rubber gripping pads that aid in providing a secure grip.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a card attachment thatsimultaneously grasps an identification card and attaches to a user'sclothing.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Identification cards, credentials, badges, access cards andsimilar items are becoming common place in today's society. People areoften required to display identification cards, badges, and/or accesscards in certain places such as offices, conventions, special events andother secure areas. Typical methods of displaying such cards or badgesinclude a first device such as a neck or wrist lanyard, a clip, or a pinthat connect to a users clothing and a second device that retains thecard to be displayed. Among the most common devices for retaining a cardor badge are clips, key rings, strap clips, and swivel hooks.

[0005] Most frequently, clips, key rings, strap clips, and swivel hooksconnect with a slot or hole that must be punched in the card. For manyapplications, however, a slot or hole is undesirable and impractical.Punching slots or holes in cards takes time, creates a weak spot in thecard, compromises the protective overlay protecting the card's graphicsand requires additional hole punching equipment. Slots punched in cardscan interfere with the writing, pictures, or logos displayed on a card.Also, some cards include embedded electronics or magnetic stripes thatprevent users from punching holes or slots. Thus, many applicationsrequire an alternative method of display.

[0006] Wallet or envelope-type card holders are the most common types ofcard display devices that do not require slots or holes. These devicesare typically made of a vinyl type plastic and hold a card in a pocket.The plastic pocket typically encases a card with a clear portionallowing the card to be viewed while encased. Cards with magneticstripes or electronic chips often cannot be used in their correspondingelectronic reading devices while encased in such holders.

[0007] The only device on the market today that allows the display of acard without a slot, hole, or envelope encasement is a clothespin-typeclip card attachment. Clip card attachments on the market today,however, have not enjoyed widespread adoption in the market at least inpart because they require additional display devices to connect to auser's clothing. Numerous styles and variations of display devices areavailable on the market today. Among the most popular display devices onthe market today are simple clips, neck lanyards, wrist lanyards, safetypins, and straight pins. While such display devices are generallyinexpensive, requiring a display device to attach a card attachment to auser's clothing requires an additional purchase and is therefore anadditional expense.

[0008] Requiring an additional display device to display a clip and cardis also less than convenient for some users. Many people find somedisplay devices, such as neck lanyards or wrist lanyards, uncomfortable,unfashionable, and inconvenient. Other devices such as retractable reelsand magnetic card holders are often too bulky and unnecessary.Furthermore, the additional device raises the cost to the consumers.

[0009] Notwithstanding the different types of clip card attachmentsavailable, it is believed that there is a need for an improved cardattachment that is easy to operate, provides a secure grip on a cardwithout covering too much of the card, and can be attached to directlyto a user's clothing, without the need for an additional device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention discloses several embodiments of a carddisplay device. The present invention allows a user to securely retain acard and attach it their clothing with only one device. The disclosedinvention includes a card attachment and clip assembly that allows theretention of a card and connection to a user's clothing to display thecard. In one embodiment of this invention, a card is retained by a clipthat has specially designed plastic gripping pads. An attached clip canconnect directly to a user's clothing without the need for an additionaldevice. In another feature of the disclosed invention, a swivel jointallows the card attachment and clip to rotate with respect to each otherthereby allowing attachment to a user's clothing at any angle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card display deviceincorporating the invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a carddisplay device.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the card display deviceof FIG. 1 in the closed position.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the card display deviceof FIG. 1 in the open position.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the card display device of FIG. 1grasping a card and attached to a user's shirt pocket.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a plan view of the card display device of FIG. 2grasping a card and attached to the front opening of a user's shirt.

[0017]FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the card display device ofFIG. 2.

[0018]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a carddisplay device incorporating the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019]FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of the disclosed card display device8 including a first clip 48 and a second clip 50. The first clip 48 isdesigned to retain a card while the second clip 50 is designed to beattached to a user's clothing. In one embodiment, the first clip 48 isof the suspender-type or cam-and-lever type design and includes a firstjaw 10 and a second jaw 12. The first jaw 10 and the second jaw 12preferably each include a gripping pad 11. The first jaw 10 includes afirst gripping surface 18 and the second jaw 12 includes a secondgripping surface 20. The gripping surfaces 18 and 20 are the portions ofthe gripping pads 11 that contact a card 32 as it is grasped by the carddisplay device 8. Embodiments that include the cam-and-lever type clipshave a closed position, shown in FIG. 3, in which the jaws are pressedtogether and an open position, shown in FIG. 4, in which the jaws arespread apart.

[0020]FIG. 1 illustrates in which the second clip as a clothespin-typeclip. The second clip functions by grasping a user's clothing between athird jaw 52 and a fourth jaw 54. A spring 56, preferably a coil spring,closes the jaws 52 and 54 unless a pinching force is applied to open thejaw. The spring 56 applies force to the jaws allowing the jaws to grip auser's clothing. It is understood that several types of clips can beemployed as the second clip 50 including cam-and-lever or suspender-typeclips.

[0021] In embodiments that include a cam-and-lever type clip such asthose depicted in FIG. 1, the first jaw 10 and the second jaw 12 have asubstantially parallel orientation when closed. A leaf spring 22 isshown connected to the first jaw 10 at one end and, at the other end, tothe second jaw 12. The second jaw 12 engages one end of the spring 22 insuch a way as to anchor that end of the spring 22. One end of the spring22 is anchored by a slot 23 in the second jaw 12 at the pivot point 13.In other embodiments, a lever may attach the first jaw 10 to the secondjaw 12.

[0022] In the closed position depicted in FIG. 3, force from the spring22 presses the first jaw 10 and second jaw 12 together. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 2, a lever 24 with an attached cam 26 interactswith the spring 22. The spring 22 also acts against the cam 26 in theclosed position, preventing the cam 26 from moving, and thereby lockingthe first jaw 10, the cam 26, and the lever arm 24 in their closedpositions. The card display device 8 will remain in the closed positionuntil a user opens the card display device 8 by lifting the lever arm24. The lever arm 24 and the cam 26 rotate about a pivot pin 30, asshown in FIG. 4, while the second jaw 12 remains relatively fixed.Similarly, the spring 22 resists movement of the cam 26 from the openposition to the closed position such that the card display device 8 willremain in the open position unless a user closes the card display device8 by applying force to the lever arm 24.

[0023] The gripping pads 11 are preferably made of a soft plastic orrubber. In another arrangement, the gripping pads 11 may fit over thejaws in a sleeve-like manner. The gripping pads 11 may alternativelyglued, riveted, molded into/onto, or otherwise attached to the jaws.Other embodiments use only one gripping pad 11 or other plastics, metal,coatings, or other materials or combinations of materials to grip acard. In one preferred embodiment, the gripping pads are molded to thejaws 10 and 12 by placing the ends of the jaws into the mold beforeintroducing the plastic.

[0024]FIG. 1 shows one of a pair of side walls 14 on the first clip 48.The side walls 14 limit an effective gripping length A of the firstgripping surface 18 and the second gripping surface 20. The effectivegripping length A of the first gripping surface 18 and the secondgripping surface 20 is preferably approximately ¼ inch. Preferably, theeffective gripping length A and a side wall length B are approximatelyequal where the side wall length B is the lateral distance from thehinge pin 30 to the furthest edge of the side wall 14. In anotherembodiment, the ratio of the effective gripping length A to the sidewall length B is approximately one to two, however, many ratios would beeffective. In another embodiment, the effective gripping length A isapproximately half of a first jaw length C.

[0025]FIG. 5 shows the card display device 8 with a card 32 inserted.The card 32 is inserted into the card display device 8 a distance equalto the effective gripping length A. In a preferred embodiment, theamount of the card 32 covered by the card display device 8 measuresapproximately ¼ inch in length by ⅜ inch in width. Other embodimentsfeature other dimensions and different ratios of the effective grippingsurface A to the side wall length C. Also, a number of differentgripping widths D are possible.

[0026] While FIG. 5 shows the card display device 8 attached to a shirtpocket, the card display device can be attached to almost any part of auser's clothing. The first clip 48 and the second clip 50 are attachedat a connection point 57 by a rotatable connection such as a rivet 58which preferably allows rotation of the clips with respect to eachother. Preferably, a rivet connects the clips at the ends opposite thejaws. Depending on the length of the rivet and the tension applied toconnect the clips, the desired ease of rotation is achieved. In apreferred embodiment, the rivet loosely connects the two clips allowingfree rotation. Embodiments that feature a tighter connection with lessfreedom to rotate are available.

[0027] The ability to rotate one clip with respect to the other allows auser to attach the card display device 8 to a user's clothing at anyangle. The second clip 50 can be attached to a flap or fold in a user'sclothing including a shirt pocket 60, as shown in FIG. 5, a belt, apants pocket, a collar, or the front opening of a shirt 62, as shown inFIG. 6. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the second clip 50 can attach at anangle while gravity preferably causes the first clip 48 and the card 32to hang straight down.

[0028] In one preferred alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the secondjaw 12 and the fourth jaw 54 are a single piece. In this embodiment, theclips are not rotatable, but the clips may be oriented with the jaws inthe same direction, as in FIG. 8, or in opposite directions.

[0029] Typical cards 32 are made of a hard plastic material. Thegripping pads 11 are perferably of a material that has a coefficient offriction that enhances the connection between the gripping surfaces anda card 32. A relatively high coefficient of friction provides a securegrip even with a small contact area. The soft plastic used for thegripping pads 11 can deform slightly under the force of a hard plasticcard 32 pressed against it, further ensuring a secure grip of the card32. Also, the gripping pads 11 in some embodiments have grippingsurfaces that create a somewhat tacky adhesion to a plastic card 32. Apreferred material for the gripping pads 11 is plasticized polyvinylchloride having a Shore A hardness of 65. Another preferred material forthe gripping pad is rubber or natural rubber. Some preferred embodimentsachieve a pull strength of seven pounds with a gripping surface that isonly approximately ¼ inch by ⅜ inch. To solve the difficult problem ofaffixing the gripping pad to a jaw, the end of the jaw may be positionedin a mold and the gripping pad molded to the jaw in a manner to obtain amechanical connection. Also, the gripping pad can be bonded to the jawwith a suitable adhesive. Other preferred embodiments includesleeve-like gripping pads which slide over the ends of the jaws.

[0030] While the invention has been described in terms of a preferredembodiment, it will be understood that other arrangements fall withinthe scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A card display device comprising a first clip forretaining a card, a second clip for attaching to a user's clothingwithout making a hole in the user's clothing, said clips being attachedto each other.
 2. The card display device of claim 1 in which the firstand second clips are pivotally attached.
 3. The card display device ofclaim 2 including a rivet attaching the first and second clips.
 4. Thecard display device of claim 1 in which the first clip is acam-and-lever type clip.
 5. The card display device of claim 1 in whichthe first clip includes two jaws, a hinge, a spring, and two grippingsurfaces.
 6. The card display device of claim 1 in which said first clipincludes a first and second jaw; said second clip includes a third andforth jaw; where said second jaw of said first clip and said third jawof said second clip are a opposite sides of one piece.
 7. The carddisplay device of claim 1 in which the first clip comprises a pair ofjaws pivotally mounted on a hinge axis, each jaw having a grippingsurface, a spring urging the jaws into an open position in which saidsurfaces are positioned to permit insertion of a card, a side wallpositioned between said axis and said surfaces, where said surfaces aresubstantially parallel with respect to one another and said side wallwhich limits insertion of a card into the attachment.
 8. The carddisplay device of claim 7 in which the side wall has a length ofapproximately half of the distance between the hinge axis and a distaltip of the gripping surfaces.
 9. The card display device of claim 7 inwhich the ratio of the length of the side wall to the length of thegripping surfaces is approximately two to one.
 10. The card displaydevice of claim 7 in which the side wall extends away from the hinge pinat least ¼ inch in the direction of the gripping surfaces.
 11. The carddisplay device of claim 7 in which the side wall prevents a card frombeing inserted within ¼ inch of the hinge pin.
 12. The card displaydevice of claim 7 in which a card may be inserted into the attachment nomore than ¼ inch.
 13. The card display device of claim 7 furthercomprising a closing lever in which said lever locks said jaws in aclosed position.
 14. The card display device of claim 7 in which thejaws in the closed position cover at most approximately ¼ inch by ⅜ inchof a card held between the jaws.
 15. The card display device of claim 7in which the spring comprises a leaf spring.
 16. The card display deviceof claim 7 in which the gripping surfaces are made of a soft plastic.17. The card display device of claim 7 in which the gripping surface ismade from polyvinyl chloride.
 18. The card display device of claim 17 inwhich the gripping surface is made from polyvinyl chloride with a ShoreA hardness of
 65. 19. The card display device of claim 7 in which thegripping surface is made of rubber.
 20. A card display device comprisinga first clip for retaining a card, a second clip connected to the firstclip, the second clip including a first jaw and a second jaw forgripping a user's clothing.
 21. The card display device of claim 20 inwhich the first and second clips are pivotally connected.
 22. The carddisplay device of claim 21 including a rivet connecting the first andsecond clips.
 23. The card display device of claim 20 in which the firstclip is a cam-and-lever type clip.
 24. The card display device of claim20 in which the first clip includes two jaws, a hinge, a spring, and twogripping surfaces.
 25. The card display device of claim 20 in which thefirst clip includes a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on a hinge axis,each jaw having a gripping surface, a spring urging the jaws into anopen position in which said surfaces are positioned to permit insertionof a card, a closing device that selectably holds the jaws in a closedposition.
 26. The card display device of claim 25 in which the closingdevice includes a lever and cam where the cam engages the spring movethe jaws to a closed position.
 27. A method of attaching a card to aperson comprising the steps of retaining a card with a first clip whichis connected to a second clip, and attaching the second clip to a user'sclothing by gripping the clothing between a pair of jaws.
 28. A methodof making a card display device comprising the steps of providing afirst clip, configured to grip a card, providing a second clipconfigured to grip a user's clothing, and connecting the two clips.